Yes, PTSD is considered a disability by the SSA. This is because the SSA recognizes that some victims of PTSD are unable to work for at least 12 months because of their symptoms. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a stress reaction that may develop after a person has witnessed a traumatic event, like a death, a serious injury or an act of sexual violence.
Is PTSD a Disability?
PTSD is considered a potential disability by the SSA. To get disability benefits for PTSD you’ll need meet a Blue Book listing and provide enough medical evidence. The commonest PTSD symptoms include upsetting and unwanted memories, flashbacks, nightmares, emotional distress and physical reactivity when exposed to reminders.
There are other symptoms such as poor sleep, negative moods and thoughts, anxiety, depression, anger and dissociation. There could be problems with cognition such as memory, attention, executive functioning, as well as difficulty in processing any new information.
Section 12.06 in the SSA Blue Book covers PTSD as an anxiety-related disorder. An applicant with PTSD filing for disability benefits is required to satisfy the severity levels for requirements A and B or requirements A and C.
Requirement A
Applicants require documentation for one of the following:
- ongoing severe anxiety with a variety of symptoms;
- intrusive and stressful memories originating from a traumatic event;
- consistent but irrational fear of a specific object or a situation;
- a severe panic attack taking place every week;
- consistent obsessions that initiate distress.
Requirement B
An applicant requires documentation for two aspects of PTSD such as:
- clear restriction of day to day activities;
- difficulty with maintaining appropriate social functioning;
- difficulty with maintaining pace and concentration.
Requirement C
Applicants need medical evidence which proves they cannot function independently in any place outside their home area.
Types of PTSD That Are Considered a Disability
- Normal stress response takes place before PTSD begins but doesn’t always lead to PTSD.
- Acute stress disorder may occur in those who have been exposed to what they believe is a life-threatening event.
- Uncomplicated PTSD is connected to a single traumatic event.
- Complex PTSD is caused by several traumatic events;
- Co-morbid PTSD is extremely common, and is when many people suffer from more than one condition at a time.
How to Get Disability Benefits For PTSD
As long as you use the Blue Book listing for PTSD, which is 12.06, it will make it easier to win a disability claim. You will need to provide evidence that you are suffering from PTSD which includes your doctor’s report. This will be assessed by the SSA to determine if you qualify for disability benefits.
Get Help With Your PTSD Disability Claim
One of the most important parts of a disability benefits claim is providing the right medical evidence that proves you are unable to work. If you work with an attorney you may have a higher chance of winning your disability benefits claim.
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